TOKYO
― The whole world confronts an unprecedented, grave and imminent threat
from North Korea. On Sept. 3, the regime carried out a reprehensible
nuclear test. Late last week, it launched a ballistic missile over my
country, Japan, only two weeks after a similar missile launch. By
repeatedly testing missiles ― in violation of United Nations Security
Council resolutions ― Pyongyang has shown its reach now extends to the
United States and Europe.

North
Korea’s actions are an outright challenge to the international
community. On Sept. 11, the United Nations Security Council unanimously
adopted a resolution on a new round of strict sanctions that restrict
member states from selling oil to the North, ban North Korean textile
exports and ban member states from authorizing North Koreans to work
abroad.

They
are an important step, but the leadership in Pyongyang has consistently
ignored previous resolutions. The international community must stay
united and enforce the sanctions.

Here
in northeast Asia, the North Korean threat has been real for more than a
quarter-century. We face the threat of missiles ― short and medium
range ― together with the possibility of chemical weapons attacks.

North
Korea has targeted Japan in particular by abducting many innocent
Japanese citizens, including a 13-year-old girl who was abducted in
1977. Most of them have been held in North Korea since the 1970s and
1980s.